My Morning Skincare Routine

I’ve had so many inquiries lately on my skincare routine – I’ve shared it with a few in e-mails, direct messages or even within my Instagram comments…but it’s about time I let you all in on it. ;) So, this is the first post of a two-part skincare series. Today, I’ll be covering my morning skincare routine!

Before we start, let me preface by saying that my skin is definitely combination/sensitive. In the winter, I’m pretty freaking dry (with oiliness in my t-zone areas). In the warmer months, I’m a bit less dry and more oily. Always allllways sensitive, though. I’m the kind of gal that touches her face and it’s immediately red…so annoying, haha. I am also prone to hormonal breakouts and at times, eczema on my face. Real fun stuff right? What can ya do? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

Okay, enough banter about my skin – I do try to take very good care of it – as you’ll see in the next couple of photos and steps! Hope you all enjoy – and remember, everyone’s skin is SO different – it’s taken me a lot of testing and trying (still in the process) products to really know what my skin likes and will react well to. With that being said, let’s get into this, shall we?

 

STEP 1: Light cleanse

There’s a reason why I say “light”. I feel like in the morning, your skin has already been thoroughly cleansed the night before…serum’d, lotion’d and all that jazz. So, a light cleanse is all your sweet skin needs – especially if it’s as sensitive as mine. (In my opinion of course.) Pictured above are my two favourite “light” cleansers.

 

1. Good Medicine Beauty Lab’s Purity | Perfectly Clear Skin Tonic*

 

Complete with fresh limes, peppermint and wild safe, this is a super gentle but powerful tonic! It wakes up my tired skin in the morning, it’s anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antiseptic – so it reduces acne flare-ups. It rebalances excess oil and sebum production and totally calms your skin. It’s rich in ionized minerals, alkaline solutions, and anti-fungal properties. Think of it forming a protective shield, which allows for healthy new cell production. All that goodness leaves my skin feeling bright, awake, purified, clear and happy. :)

 

Good Medicine suggests using this product regularly to help

• Restore skin’s natural pH balance
• Protect from infections
• Protect against inflammatory breakouts
• Clear dead skin cells & harmful toxins
• Brighten & soften the skin
• Shrink pores & tighten skin tone
• Increase cellular metabolism
• Balance the production of sebum

 

HOW TO USE

I shake it gently before use. Then, I moisten a cotton pad with the product. Ever so gently (remember I told you I get red easily), with upward motions, I cleanse and purify my face and neck, making sure to get any leftover bacteria or dirt possibly left on the skin from the night before. Voila! You can either leave it on your skin (it feels like nothing, really) or rinse it off with warm water.

 

2. Leahlani Skincare Kalima Cleansing Powder*

I will have to agree with Leah here,

“Your cleansing ritual will never be the same.”

This cleansing powder is truly one-of-a-kind. Like the majority of Leahlani’s Skincare products, it is exotic, luxurious and pretty much a mini-vacay for your face. Complete with silken coconut milk, soothing oatmeal, vitamin, and antioxidant-rich tropical fruits, softening clays and organic vanilla beans…this cleanser is a delight for the face. Boosting collagen production, evening out the complexion and when used as a mask, this cleanser is amazing at helping to fade post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

 

HOW TO USE

The powder activates with water and will visibly transform in the palm of your hand. From a powder to a light pink “potion”, this cleanser gently exfoliates and cleanses my skin. I use this more when I’m feeling a bit more congested and want to add this to my first product (Purity). I actually will use this before I apply Purity.

 

I honestly just eyeball it, haha. It works every time for me, but Leah does have some specific instructions on her site if you’re more technical about it. I pour a bit of the powder into the palm of my hand and slowly add water. I just do a few drops and add drop by drop, until I reach my desired consistency. If you want a more exfoliating cleanse, just do a little less water. For a more gentle cleanse, add a few more drops. Then, blend the powder with water until it starts to froth and activate. Gently massage into your (pre-moistened) skin in circular motions and rinse well with warm water! If you’re wanting to use Kalima as a mask, allow it to dry before rinsing and gently pat your skin dry with a soft cotton towel afterward.

*all ingredients listed on their website

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STEP 2: Serums

I can’t start moisturizing and everything else that comes after cleansing until I’ve fully serumized my face…(yeah, I know, that’s not a word – whatevz). But really. My two faves are from the same lovely company:

 

1. Marie Veronique‘s Vitamins C+E+Ferulic Serum (formerly Serum de Jour)*

What I love most about this serum is that it feels so light and brightens my skin incredibly. It contains Vitamin C, E, and Ferulic Acid – a combination that delivers a sun protection boost to daily sunscreen. It also increases environmental protection – you can never be too protected! ;) Besides providing antioxidant protection, this serum is great for the night too because Vitamin C works through the night to rebuild collagen. This serum is safe for all skin types – yay! Extra sensitive faces included! It’s also a great alternative to Retinol for pregnant women. Seriously ladies, if a serum as great as this comes along, is gentle, effective AND promotes skin health and a radiant complexion – I’m all in!

 

HOW TO USE

I shake it well, then apply a thin layer on my face. Easy peasy.

 

2. Marie Veronique’s Eye Repair Serum (formerly Eye Recovery Serum)*

I love love LOVE this stuff! It is so light, refreshing under my eyes and moisturizing without being clogging or heavy. I think it’s pretty cool and informative, how MV includes information regarding AGE on this products description. Check it out:

“AGE stands for advanced glycation end products. These sticky deposits crosslink collagen, resulting in the premature appearance of fine lines and crow’s feet. We combine ingredients that limit the AGEs production process with those that lighten dark circles, thereby doubling the serum’s strengthening and rejuvenating effects.”

The benefits to this Eye Serum are terrific! It reduces dark circles, lifts, firms and strengthens skin, prevents sagging, reduces wrinkles and fine lines…I mean, yes, please!

 

HOW TO USE

Shake ‘er up, and then as the final step of your morning and nightly routines, simply apply a very thin layer of serum over upper and lower lids – basically where your dark circles are…;)

*all ingredients listed on their website

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Step 3: Elixir or Moisturizer (+ Serum Concentrate)

 

Depending on how thirsty my skin is at this point in the game…I opt for one of the two options. (I combine the Concentrate and Moisturizer.)

 

1. Leahlani Skincare Aloha Ambrosia Morning Moisture Elixir*

This Elixir is perfect for my sensitive, combination skin! It provides the perfect balance of moisture and daily nutrients my delicate little face needs, without being too heavy or greasy. It’s light, nourishing – generously giving me all of my daily skin nutrients (a superfood feast as Leah says) while leaving me feeling well-hydrated and glowy. This magical concoction is a delight to use – your skin will drink it up! Annnnd of course, it smells HEAVENLY, as all of Leah’s skincare products do. The scent is Leahlani’s signature blend of jasmine essential oils, which restore your skins moisture balance, reduces dryness, fades scarring and minimizes breakouts. If that wasn’t enough, jasmine stimulates the release of serotonin, which will uplift your mood and give you that creative energy…something we may all lack at times and need more of!

 

HOW TO USE

 

2. Odacite’s Gr+G | Oily/Acne Prone Grapeseed Grapefruit Serum Concentrate

This product is specific to oily/acne prone skin. So, in my case, it prevents oiliness and also blemishes. I like to mix this with my 100% Pure Coffee Cherry Sun Damage Corrective Cream. It clears existing blemishes, preventing new breakouts. It’s rich in linoleic acid and powerful anti-inflammatory OPCs. Grapeseed oil is amazing at clearing your pores – never knew that! Score. Also, in aromatherapy, Grapefruit oil is known to be uplifting and energizing. 2-for-1!

 

HOW TO USE

Like mentioned above, I use it in conjunction with my daily moisturizer. I drop about 2-3 drops in the palm of my hand, (which already has my day cream in it) and mix it together. Then I pat it gently onto my skin, adding more where needed. You can also apply it alone for a more intensive treatment.

*all ingredients listed on their website

 

3. 100% Pure Coffee Cherry Sun Damage Corrective Cream – no longer produced

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STEP 4: Counteract and Balance your red, sensitive skin

The last, but VERY important step in my morning skincare routine:

 

FitGlow Beauty’s Redness Rescue Cream (RRC)*

What the heck did I do before this cream existed?! Seriously, Anna makes some of my favourite skincare for calming redness, taming sensitive skin and more. (As you’ll see soon in my nightly skincare routine!)

 

This cream immediately calms stressed out, angry, red skin. With a blend of organic comfrey, calendula, and chamomile, it repairs skin, stimulates cell growth, plus decompresses skin inflammation. There is a green mineral tint to the cream, which of course, immediately reduces the look of redness. Organic Grapeseed Oil (see a trend here?) hydrates without greasiness. This product is amazing for rosacea, sensitive and/or stressed skin. I can’t be without it! My sensitive skin loves it.

 

HOW TO USE

I use one full pump, and then some if extra is needed. I gently pat it into my skin and any areas that are especially red and inflamed.

*all ingredients listed on their website

 

I hope I was able to enlighten you and your morning skincare inquiries! Are there any products here you’d love to try, or use on a regular basis already? Let me know in the comments! Happy skin is the best skin!

 

xo

This post contains affiliate links.  All thoughts expressed are unique and true to my personal experience, as always.